BJP leader Ram Madhav stoked a controversy after saying that India has “agreed to stop buying oil from Russia” after US demands. He later apologised for making the statement, admitting that what he said was “wrong”
Senior BJP leader Ram Madhav’s comment on India purchasing Russian and Iranian oil at an event in the US has sparked a controversy back home, as he said that New Delhi has “agreed to stop buying oil from Russia” after US demands.
Speaking at the Hudson Institute conference in Washington DC, Madhav said, “India agreed to stop buying oil from Iran. We agreed to stop buying oil from Russia despite so much criticism from our opposition. India agreed to a 50% tariff without saying too much. So where exactly is India not doing enough to work with America?”
The BJP leader was part of the panel that included former diplomat Elizabeth Threlkeld and former US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell. He suggested that New Delhi has caved to President Donald Trump’s rhetoric of suspending oil purchases from Moscow. Trump has criticised New Delhi’s oil buying business with Russia over the Ukraine war. He even doubled the tariff imposed on India owing to this.
Madhav’s comments gave India’s Opposition ammo to slam the government over its foreign policy, with Congress saying that it “surrendered” before Trump and sidelined national interests.
Madhav clarifies stance
After the Opposition blew up on his comments, Madhav issued a clarification on X, saying, “What I said was wrong. India didn’t agree to stopping import of oil from Russia anytime. Also it vigorously protested 50 percent tariff imposition. I was trying to make a limited counterpoint to d other panelist. But factually incorrect. My apologies.”
What I said was wrong. India didn’t agree to stopping import of oil from Russia anytime. Also it vigorously protested 50 percent tariff imposition. I was trying to make a limited counterpoint to d other panelist. But factually incorrect. My apologies. https://t.co/D3VNkYJ7pU
— Ram Madhav (@rammadhav_) April 24, 2026
The Congress on Friday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lost his authority to continue as the prime minister, claiming that a senior RSS leader has made a “clear admission” that Modi is “dancing to Washington’s tunes”.
Congress general secretary, Organisation, K C Venugopal shared a video of Madhav on X and said, “Clear admission by a senior RSS leader – PM Modi is dancing to Washington’s tunes. There was once a time when the US’ 7th Fleet was in the Bay of Bengal, and India didn’t budge. And then there is today, where a Compromised PM has handed over India’s sovereignty to the US.”
Is India buying oil from Russia and Iran?
India never stopped buying oil from Russia despite Trump’s repeated threats. It continues to rely on Russian crude oil and has, in the meantime, reopened channels with Iran.
Despite repeated pressure from Washington to curb purchases, New Delhi has maintained that its domestic interests, especially energy security and price stability, remain the top priority.
In fact, last month, Indian refiners bought about 60 million barrels of Russian oil for April, signalling that India remains committed to mitigating the oil crisis triggered by the Iran war, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, India has begun buying oil from Iran after a seven‑year hiatus after a seven‑year hiatus. Earlier this month, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas announced that New Delhi has secured oil supplies from more than 40 countries, including Iran, amid disruptions in West Asia.
First Published:
April 25, 2026, 10:55 IST
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